Title: National Disaster Response SME – Seismic / Earthquake Operations
Location: Field-Based with Nationwide Travel (Continental U.S. & U.S. Territories)
Compensation: $121,000 – $164,000 annually
Benefits: Comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and travel opportunities
About Ceres Environmental Operations
Ceres Environmental Operations (CEO) is a leader in crisis management, rapid response, and disaster recovery, committed to rebuilding stronger, safer communities nationwide. We specialize in emergency response, environmental services, planning, and consulting—including debris removal, structural demolition, emergency stabilization, blue roofs, logistics, debris management, recycling, forest management, coastal restoration, and infrastructure recovery.
As a licensed general contractor with national disaster experience, CEO delivers scalable, compliant, and technically sound recovery operations across diverse hazard environments.
Driven by Purpose, Powered by People
At CEO, we believe you’re more than just an employee; you’re part of a team with a mission. Every team member plays a vital role in restoring hope and rebuilding communities after catastrophic events.
We value initiative, operational discipline, and decisive leadership. We offer competitive compensation, nationwide deployment opportunities, and a culture built on resilience and teamwork. If you respond with urgency, lead with clarity, and deliver solutions under pressure, you will thrive here.
What We Are Looking For
We are seeking a highly experienced National Disaster Response Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Seismic / Earthquake Operations to support all-hazards emergency response and recovery operations across the United States, with a primary focus on earthquake and seismic-related events.
This senior field leadership role requires expertise in structural collapse environments, emergency demolition and stabilization, debris clearance in dense urban corridors, and coordination with federal, state, and local agencies following major seismic incidents.
The SME will plan, coordinate, and execute multi-state, multi-agency disaster operations while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and mission efficiency under complex and high-risk conditions.
Key Responsibilities
Seismic & Earthquake Response Leadership
- Lead on-the-ground disaster operations following earthquake and seismic events across urban, suburban, and rural environments
- Direct debris removal, emergency demolition, structural stabilization, right-of-way clearance, and public safety hazard mitigation
- Support operations in collapsed structures, unstable infrastructure, compromised utilities, and densely impacted population centers
- Manage concurrent activations across multiple jurisdictions during cascading aftershock events
Incident Planning & Multi-Agency Coordination
- Develop incident-specific operational plans tailored to seismic hazards, structural collapse zones, liquefaction areas, landslides, and damaged transportation corridors
- Coordinate with USACE, FEMA, state emergency management agencies, public works departments, building departments, and utility providers
- Participate in ICS-based planning meetings and support integration with EOCs and Unified Command structures
- Develop sectoring, routing, staging, and resource deployment plans for high-density metropolitan and complex infrastructure environments
Structural & Infrastructure Operations
- Oversee debris clearance in urban cores, commercial districts, residential neighborhoods, industrial zones, and transportation corridors
- Support emergency shoring, stabilization, and demolition planning activities
- Guide access restoration for critical infrastructure, including hospitals, utilities, bridges, highways, and public facilities
- Ensure environmental compliance and proper debris segregation in mixed-material collapse environments
Documentation, Reporting & Compliance
- Oversee documentation systems (e.g., ADMS/LOADM or similar platforms), ensuring audit-ready field records
- Support QC and monitoring teams in geospatial tracking, volume reconciliation, and regulatory documentation
- Lead after-action reviews, operational readiness assessments, and corrective-action planning
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental and debris management regulations
Safety & Risk Management
- Enforce safety standards aligned with USACE EM 385-1-1, OSHA, and seismic hazard protocols
- Conduct hazard assessments for unstable structures, confined spaces, elevated collapse zones, and heavy equipment operations in debris-dense environments
- Ensure implementation of site-specific safety plans for aftershock conditions and compromised infrastructure
- Coordinate with structural engineers and safety officers to assess risk prior to entry and work commencement
Required Qualifications
- Direct large-program disaster experience (required): Served in a leadership or field operations role on at least five (5+) disaster response, debris, demolition, or emergency infrastructure recovery projects (federal/state/local; FEMA/USACE/State EMAs acceptable)
- (7+) years of disaster response, heavy civil, demolition, or emergency field operations experience
- Demonstrated experience in earthquakes, structural collapse, or high-risk urban disaster environments
- Experience coordinating multi-agency operations under ICS or Unified Command structures
- Strong understanding of debris management, emergency stabilization, and infrastructure recovery principles
- Experience managing subcontractors, crews, and equipment in high-pressure field conditions
- Proficiency with field documentation systems and reporting platforms
- Valid driver’s license and ability to deploy nationwide for extended periods
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Emergency Management, Environmental Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Experience with USACE civil works or FEMA Public Assistance programs
- USACE CQM Certification
- OSHA 30 and/or HAZWOPER 40
- Background in structural demolition, public works, utilities, or civil infrastructure repair
- Experience supporting large-scale metropolitan disaster recovery operations
Key Competencies
- Strong situational awareness and crisis leadership
- Ability to make rapid, defensible operational decisions
- Skilled in interagency coordination and complex incident planning
- High accountability for documentation, safety, and regulatory compliance
- Adaptability to evolving disaster conditions and concurrent activations
Physical Requirements and Environment
Ceres provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants with sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by law.
Essential requirements may include:
- Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation
- Ability to work in unstable, debris-heavy, or structurally compromised environments
- Willingness to wear PPE, including hard hats, protective eyewear, steel-toed boots, respirators, and other required safety equipment
- Ability to navigate uneven terrain, collapse zones, confined spaces, and elevated areas
- Commitment to strict adherence to safety protocols
Why Join CEO?
At CEO, you won’t just have a job, you’ll have a mission. Your work directly impacts the speed and strength of community recovery following catastrophic seismic events.
We offer:
- A collaborative, mission-driven culture
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
- Nationwide impact across diverse disaster environments
- The opportunity to lead complex, high-visibility recovery operations
Ceres Environmental Operations is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Work Authorization
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility verification is required at hiring. Ceres does not sponsor employment-based visas unless otherwise stated.
E-Verify: We comply with Federal law by verifying employment eligibility.
